Post by on Mar 20, 2012 20:33:49 GMT

I'm hoping to get some advice related to joining Freemasonry. I have an application set to be voted upon at the next stated meeting, but here's my dilemma.

I have a family and young children, and don't have a lot of ways of meeting good people, particularly older men to provide a mentoring role. I'd just as soon avoid the bars, as well as some of the issues related to church attendance. So without knowing anyone at the local lodge, I contacted them. I met with a few of the members on a couple of occasions and did have two members sign my petition for membership. I recently went through an investigation that seemed to go favorably.

Seeing as how I have not been voted on, perhaps I'm jumping the gun. But I thought I should ask on a forum and not those connected with the lodge where my petition is being considered. Here's my question: without a doubt I believe Freemasonry is an honorable institution. I'm reading Albert Pike and agreeing with just about everything I've read. I appreciate the fraternity's contribution to the ideas of the Enlightenment and it's place in American history. I believe in God. BUT, I recently discovered Continental Freemasonry. Even though I believe in a Higher Power, I know many good men and women who do not, and I respect their reasons. Outside of the arguments from tradition and authority, I don't see grounds for barring women and atheists/agnostics - though I recognize an organization's right to do as it pleases without explanation or qualification.

My dilemma is that philosophically I seem to have more in common with Continental or "irregular" freemasons. But by withdrawing my petition from the local lodge and petitioning one of the Continental lodges, I would effectively be eliminating what I saw as the main benefit for me. I need to find good people who are committed to doing good things. I live in a very small town where church is mainly the only game in town for good people getting together.

Again I recognize I'm assuming a favorable vote, which may sound arrogant. But really, I don't want to delay making the right choice. But should I keep my mouth shut about not exactly agreeing with excluding people by gender or issues of conscience in order to find much-needed camaradrie, or should I speak freely my concerns, petition a Continental lodge for reasons of conscience, and be practically no better off than I was before in terms of one of the major reasons why I sought out membership in a lodge in the first place?

Also, can someone address this for me? At the investigation meeting, there were three petitioners, including myself. One was related to a member, and it was discussed with the other two of us that if we were voted in, we would probably do our first two degrees together, but would go through MM individually because that is a special thing. The other applicant would go through all three degrees on his own because that was what his relative was requesting. I recognize there may be good reasons for this based on things I'm not privy to. So if this is common or necessary at times, can someone just tell me that it is something that will make sense later? Or is this an instance of lodge "politics"?

Post by billmcelligott on Mar 21, 2012 0:10:12 GMT

First, you must go with what your heart tells you. The Lodge will not want you if your heart is not in it , that I am sure of.

With regard to the actual degree work. It will have more to do with the organization of the work rather than anyone's personal preference. however in most jurisdiction a son of a Mason has preference in order of initiation , is that fair ? not sure but that is the way it has been done for hundreds of years.

My personal advice is approach Freemasonry with a 'what can I put in' attitude rather 'than what can I get out'. That is when you will feel the real benefits of Freemasonry, it is more, much more than a Golf Club or Social activity.

Post by whistler on Mar 21, 2012 7:51:55 GMT

Throaway your post raises so many points....

I have a family and young children, and don't have a lot of ways of meeting good people, Freemasonry can be a good choice. I believe in God. BUT, I recently discovered Continental Freemasonry. Even though I believe in a Higher Power, I know many good men and women who do not, and I respect their reasons. Outside of the arguments from tradition and authority, I don't see grounds for barring women and atheists/agnostics - though I recognize an organization's right to do as it pleases without explanation or qualification.

That can be an important consideration for you -In this you must follow your own intuition - the Most common form of Freemasonry that is close to where you live is the probably traditional Male only form - and if you feel comfortable with Their attitude towards "God and Men only masonry - you should join them.If you have an easy choice with both Co-Masonic and Male only Freemasonry - you must follow your heart. ref I don't see grounds for barring women Co-Mason lodges are made up of Men and Women. and atheists/agnosticsThis is a choice for you I personally are not a Christian or claim any religious affiliation - but do believe in a Supreme Being and Freemasonry works perfectly for me.

You should approach Freemasonry accepting what it offers - if you find those offerings unacceptable then Freemasonry would not be for you. , I would effectively be eliminating what I saw as the main benefit for me. I need to find good people who are committed to doing good things. I live in a very small town where church is mainly the only game in town for good people getting together.The main benefit Freemasonry is it gives you an opportunity to improve yourself -Meeting other Good people along the way is a mere by-product of Freemasonry.It Si not for you to enter a Lodge and express concerns about the traditions of your particular Lodge.

Join the Lodge that your heart indicates and approach it like a dry sponge ready to absorb all it offers - if along the way you find small irritants don't let them upset you - just concentrate on the ritual of the dramas you Will witness and perform and seek to understand more and more of the lessons within., there were three petitioners, including myself. One was related to a member,This is an example of things you may learn from Freemasonry - If the candidate with the relation seems to get preferential treatment - your challenge is not to let it bother you- again just concentrate on making your own Masonic work the very best you can - be your harshest critic, and you will find the joy of Freemasonry regardless of somebody seeming to proceed ahead of you - they are just not important

HGW
Whistler
Eastern order of International Co-Freemasonry
Auckland New Zealand
"All Truths are Truths of Period
and not truths for eternity."

...however in most jurisdiction a son of a Mason has preference in order of initiation...

This is a relative by marriage. From the tone of the interviewers when telling us this (we both inquired off the street and were not put forward by anyone) and the "vibe" the member seemed to be throwing in the meeting, my sense is that something else is going on. But I am walking into unfamiliar territory, so I could be wrong.

My personal advice is approach Freemasonry with a 'what can I put in' attitude rather 'than what can I get out'. That is when you will feel the real benefits of Freemasonry, it is more, much more than a Golf Club or Social activity.

Agreed. In order to commit myself to this, I feel like this is an issue I need to resolve within myself. While I am looking for the benefits of being around good men, the reason why I chose to petition a lodge over some other fraternal organizations was what you stated here. And practically speaking, no organization needs members who cannot at least passively assent to their tenets. Such people become toxic even if they are well-meaning, and that is not a role I want to play.